Am I ill or just tired?

[Graciescotland]

I have 4 dc under 5, dtds are 3mo so perfectly reasonable that i'm knackered. Over the last couple of weeks I'm feeling worse breathless and shaky after going up the stairs like I was at 7months pregnant. Bit woozy, lighheaded, occaisional blurring of vision when I stand, goes away when sitting. Bulging veins in my hands if they're below shoulder level and slightly trembly fingers all the time.

I did have blood pressure problems culminating in pre eclampsiya (sp) but everything had normalised within 3 weeks or so post partum. Do I need to go to the doctors? I really don't have time so hoping these are all symptoms of tiredness.

[gingeroots]

I think you definitely need to go to GP .

breathless and shaky after going up the stairs like I was at 7months pregnant. Bit woozy, lighheaded, occaisional blurring of vision

none of those are just plain lack of rest ,sound like anemia to me .Which can make you feel dreadful .And will take a little while to diagnose and then quite a while to improve .And you need every ounce of strength to cope with your little lot ! So book appointment today . You must make time ( stern voice )

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[tobee]

Just to say I agree with the suggestion of anaemia. It's surprisingly horrible and can certainly effect you like that. Get your blood tested asap. Good luck!

[slippermaiden]

Sounds like anaemia to me too, go to your gp, start eating iron rich foods

[onepieceoflollipop]

I also came here to say GP and possible anaemia. Anaemia is one of those things that you think is minor, until you have it. I have never known tiredness like it. Oh and eat regularly, iron rich foods if you can, decent protein too x

[WhenMarnieWasThere]

Yep. Anaemia.

Eat iron rich food, buy those spatone sachets from the chemists if you can afford them to give your iron a boost while you wait for a gps appt.

[MrsExcited]

Sounds like a gp appointment needed.

In the meantime, are you eating healthily? small but regular meals and taking a mti vit, I appreciate it has already been said. Is there anyone who could help with children to let you get some more rest?

[goddessofsmallthings]

As it seems likely that any appointment you make with your GP in relation to your current health issue will result in a blood test, you're best advised not to take any supplements or make any changes to your diet until after your bloods have been drawn.

[crazytyke]

The effects of extreme tiredness shouldn't be underestimated, but definitely worth a GP appointment.

3 month old twins plus 2 toddlers. ..wow

[Bettertobehealthy]

Gracie - I wonder if you have considered low vitamin D. You mentioned pre-eclampsia, you should know that could be attributed to low vitamin d , ( see the work of Prof. Hollis at Medical Univ. S. Carolina ).

If you get to the doctors, ask him for a Vit D test.

If he refuses, you can get one very simply by ordering one direct from an NHS path Lab , in the West Midlands. Go here for their website. //www.vitamindtest.org.uk It is available to the public and costs £28. You can pay by credit card , you can also order on the phone at 0121 507 4278

I see you are from Scotland ( my middle name is Sherlock ....! ) ,
as you probably know Scotland is the worst area of the country for D deficiency, the Western areas of Scotland being the worst due to the frequent cloud cover from Westerly winds.

It is very simple and cheap to supplement. Gel caps from Amazon etc are probably the cheapest. If you are low , then a few thousand units ( I.U ) per day would help tremendously. Muscle Weakness, tiredness, lethargy etc, can all be symptoms of D deficiency amongst many others such as bone pain etc. You may not be deficient , and your symptoms may have other causes, but it seems to me that a D test would be most worthwhile for you, amongst any other investigations that you may do.

It is most important that you at least stick to Gov. guidelines concerning Vit D supplementation of the kids as well.

best of luck

BTBH